Life Mechanical Plumbing Victoria BC – Water Heaters

Life Mechanical Plumbing Victoria BC – Water Heaters

Water Heaters

How long does a water heater (hot water tank) last? Which is the most efficient water heater?

When selecting a hot water heater or instantaneous water heater first identify if you are needing a gas water heater or an electric water heater. Things to consider are the service life of the replacement water heater and its efficiency, how long you will stay in the home, and are you worried about running out of hot water.

The standard life of a hot water tank is between five to ten years. The tanks supplied by Life Mechanical have an extensive 8 yr warranty provided by the manufacturer themselves, and we are proud to include in our plumbing services here in Victoria BC, and extended 3 yr installer warranty program.

Gas water heaters:

Gas water heaters operate on either natural gas or propane gas. They are known for thier quick recovery rate, which is how fast they are able to heat cold water to hot water. Some older gas water heaters have standby losses, and are slightly less efficient due to the products of combustion being vented outside. New high efficient gas water heaters have less heat loss in the exhaust gasses and have stopped using the wasteful standby pilot flame. Old gas water heaters with the metal venting system are aproximately 50 percent efficient. New units can get up to 85 percent efficient. Some of the tankless units are 84% to 95 percent using condensing technology. Gas combustion technology has made a comeback when you consider these percentages are easily transferred into dollar amounts:

Atmospheric gas HWT annual cost estimate at 50% efficient = 600.00/yr

Powervent gas HWT annual cost estimate at 80% efficient = 375.00/yr

Gas Tankless unit annual cost estimate at 95% efficient = 315.00/yr

Electric water heaters:

Electric water heaters usually require 240 VAC electrical services. Their advantage is more efficient energy transfer. they don’t have the same losses that gas waters have, but take slightly longer to heat water. The standard life of a hot water tank is between five to ten years. The tanks supplied by Life Mechanical have an extensive 8 yr warranty provided by the manufacturer themselves, and we are proud to include in our plumbing services here in Victoria BC, and extended 3 yr installer warranty program. Their are also other electric tanks on the market that are glass lined and have a lifetime warranty.

Tankless/Instantaneous water heaters:

If you would prefer to never run out of hot water again, if you want a lower natural gas bill and if you want to decrease your energy consumption than an on-demand water heater is for you. Common hot water tanks require a constant energy input to always keep their water at a set temperature. If the tank is emptied (doing some dishes or filling a bath), you need to wait for all the new cold water in it to be heated up and have probably experience the concept of being out of hot water. More efficiently tankless hot water heaters heat water as it passes through the water heater by heating the water as you need it. This system is considered instantaneous or on demand (the standard in Europe). By not having to keep a whole 175 L to 275 L of water warm all night and when not needed a tankless hot water heater uses less energy. On demand hot water heaters also take up less space as they’re mounted to a wall. If you are ready to switch to a tankless Life Mechanical is available to install a new system for you.

In case of an Emergency:

If you should arrive home to find your hot water heater/hot water tank leaking.

1)Locate the water shutoff to your home nad turn the valve off to isolate the leak. Then call us and we will respond promptly to help you. Direct line 1 (250) 418 5139

Life Mechanical Heating is the professional heating contractor in Victoria, BC you need to consult in regards to hot water in floor heating, energy system efficiencies, gas condensing boiler service & maintenance, new radiant heating designs, retrofit heating upgrades/conversions, fuel conversions, and all aspects of home heating systems.

Life Mechanical plumbing and heating installs a few different brands of tankless water heaters and our technicians are able to visit your home for a site consultation to see if it is in your families best interest to install a tankless water heater.